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Fort2Base The Beginner's Dream Race

The Fort2Base run is a perfect run for beginners hoping one day to run a marathon. Here's why: The Fort2Base is just under a half marathon (11.5 miles-10 Nautical Miles), which makes it the perfect gauge for a newbie. If you can run the Fort2Base, then you're well on your way to running a half marathon and ultimately, a marathon.

It's not that other races won't prepare you for a marathon or half marathon. When I started out, my first race was a 10K (Temecula Turkey Trot in Southern California). This provided me with a lot of internal encouragement when I was preparing to run a half marathon about three months after that. Knowing I could run 6.2 miles helped me know I could run 13.2. That same encouragement will be very evident for the Fort2Base.

However, where the 10K supports and encourages, the Fort2Base does the same and gives an added perk. The Fort2Base gives you a far more accurate gauge for where you are at. Here's the bottom line: If you can run the Fort2Base, you can run a half marathon! Once you've run 11.5 miles, you're extremely close to running 13.1. Take it from me, someone who has run the Fort2Base both years it's been available and a veteran of two half marathons. It's a fact. If you want a gauge of your running ability as you prepare for a half marathon or full marathon, a race like Fort2Base is the one to use. It's far more accurate than a 10K.

But what about training? What advice do I have for beginners? See below:

Training Plan: I am loosely following the Marathon Rookie training guide. Honestly, I'm just a tad behind, but as I only have to make it to 11.5 miles, it's ok. I'm coming up on a 6 mile run this weekend, which puts me on target to hit the 11.5 on the day of the race. From that point, I'm in perfect condition to hit a half marathon this fall if I want to.

Hydration: A lessoned learned, as we call it in the Navy, is that I don't hydrate very well. Many days, even days like today (a 5.4 mile training run), I rely too much on coffee to rehydrate after runs. This is honestly unsatisfactory and should be avoided. The recommended daily dose is 64 ounces, but obviously you should be drinking quality water, not just coffee, and you should increase that intake if you're running a lot.

Don't take it to seriously: Finally, as one last piece of advice, take time to enjoy your runs. My running partners get a little frustrated at times, I think, because I stop every time I see wildlife and start taking pictures. I can't help it! They are just so fun! So as you enjoy the pictures below, please stop "to smell the roses" and enjoy your training!

As my goal is to lose weight and get healthy prior to my commissioning this December as a Chief Warrant Officer in the Navy, this training plan will suffice. Unless you're already a seasoned runner, then it should work for your goals as well. Enjoy the run and be safe!